Explore the most popular mountain biking trails near Charlotte with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you.

This is a review (for the most part) of the green loop/section only. The green section/loop is the easiest part of this trail and is great for a family ride with kids eight years and older. It’s also the longest section of the trail.

This is one of the prettiest trails in the Charlotte MSA in my opinion. My family and I have ridden it at least a hundred times. The lake, ringed with thick forest, is postcard picturesque in the spring, summer, and fall. The trail is shared by both walkers and mountain bikers, although there are more walkers than mountain bikers for the most part. The trail has really nice flow, including some cool bridges and technical areas to ride over, including some fun drop-offs, jumps, balance beams, and shallow burns that prove easy enough for our ten year old to handle. This is, however, a rooty trail, and can be quite jarring at times. But for us, that’s what makes it fun! And last but not least, this trail is very well maintained and well designed in my opinion. Kudus to the Tarheel Trailblazers for doing such a good job.

The only concerns I would tell newcomers to be aware of are:
1) This trail is not well marked in certain places, and can be confusing if you are not familiar with it. But as long as you have your smart phone with you, loaded up with a good trail app (like Alltrails) you won’t have any problem.
2) Watch out for copperheads in the fall. During this time of year they come out to sun themselves on the warm dirt trails. They blend in very well with their surroundings and can be hard to see.
3) The black and blue sections of this trail are insainly rooty. Too rooty to make it fun in my opionion. And definatly too rooty to get good flow. But each to his own. Some folks like super rooty tails. Just my opinion that's all.

This is a greenway and not a trail. It's paved or gravel--no dirt. For this reason it can get really hot in the summer compared to a wooded trail because the vast majority of the trail is not shaded. It's an okay trail for getting a feel for your mountain bike if you've never ridden before, but even beginners will be board to death on this trail in my opinion. This is a take your kid on their training wheel bike trail. So for that sort of thing it’s perfect. Or maybe not, given that there is an unbelievable amount of dog poop and duck poop on the trail. Magnitudes more poop than on any other greenway or trail we've ridden in the Charlotte MSA. Never seen a more poopy trail in my life.

We live 10 mins away from here and never knew this even existed. We heard about it from our neighborhood newsletter and decided to check it out. I literally drove by this road a million times as a kid but hadn’t been down Norland in years. I was so happy to see they had build a small parking area, super nice bathrooms, and information area. This is a great getaway from the city while your in the city! Our dogs loved it. All the trails were super easy, but we loved how secluded it felt especially with how close to uptown it is! Will return!

I just got back into the saddle for mountain biking so its been a llllllooooonnngg time since I have rode. but I will say that this trail definitely has some challenge. but at the same time it has places for you to catch your breath.

I am a fat boy now,,, but as soon as I lose some weight I beleive the trail will be way more enjoyable.

I’m new to riding and stuck to the moderate trails. The trails were well maintained with a nice mix of hills, narrow spots, switchbacks, river views, etc. $6 to park and is a steal. Be sure to check their website before going as the trails are sometimes closed after rain. I will be going back.

I absolutely love riding at the whitewater center. These trails never bore me, even though I’m pretty sure I’ve covered almost every square inch of them by now. They do a great job of keeping them maintained and there’s nothing nicer to come off a great ride and grab a tall boy afterwards and sit by the water or stay a little later and listen to the live music.

$6 entry fee at the gate fully worth it. My Husband and I hiked the 3 mile green trail today. Lots of mountain bikers but all were respectful. We would move to the side to let them pass. Beautiful views and moderate hiking. Would do it every week if we were local. We highly recommend it. Good shoes and water a must!

Good trail only reason I am giving 4 stars is the back section by the lake is not that well marked. Got lost trying to figure out the trail back there. Just needs more markings or signs. Fast trail not much traffic at least when I was there.